Repair Couplings For Broken Conduit

ABSTRACT

A broken conduit end portion is repaired by reducing its radial wall thickness and attaching thereto a repair coupling that is configured to provide an internal passage therethrough that is not smaller than the internal passages in the broken conduit end portion and in a second conduit that is attached to the repair coupling.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/610,042 filedJun. 30, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to couplings for repairing broken electricaland plumbing conduit that extends outward from concrete foundations.

Electrical conduit is often embedded in concrete foundations and floorsof commercial and residential buildings, so that electrical wiring canbe run at a later time. Since concrete foundations and floor are pouredbefore any internal walls and other structures are erected, shortsections of conduits extend vertically above the foundation and floor atevery location of an electrical source. In large construction projects,there may be hundreds of exposed conduit ends extending from theconcrete foundation and floors. In the course of construction, theseexposed ends of the electrical conduit are often broken off by workersand equipment in the course of moving materials, erecting interior wallsand other construction activities. The broken conduit ends must berepaired so that additional sections of conduit can be connected to themto complete the installation of the electrical systems. More often thannot, the conduit breaks off near the foundation. Consequently, repairingthe broken conduit requires breaking up the foundation around the brokenconduit end to expose the end so that a coupling can be attached overit. Once the coupling is connected to the exposed broken end, theconcrete foundation is patched around the repaired conduit.

Repairing the broken conduit embedded in a concrete foundation is anexpensive and time consuming project. A large construction site may havehundreds of exposed conduit ends broken over the course of theconstruction project. Repairing broken conduit ends is a time consumingexpense that is not factored into the cost of most constructionprojects. Consequently, a method for quickly and easily repairing brokenconduit ends is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The specialized repair component for repairing broken conduit ends inaccordance with the present application eliminates the need to break upthe concrete foundation around the broken conduit end. The specializedrepair components include a reaming bit for milling out and turning downthe inside wall of the broken conduit end and repair couplings forjoining a new section of conduit to the broken conduit end. The reamingbit is designed to be used with any conventional handheld power drill.The reaming bit mills out the inside of the broken conduit end so thatthe repair coupling can be inserted into the broken conduit end. Withthe coupling fitted into the broken conduit end, a new section ofconduit can be connected completing the repair. Because the coupling isinserted into the broken end of the conduit instead of over it, theconcrete foundation around the conduit does not have to be disturbed.Consequently, this repair method provides a structurally more securerepair.

Accordingly, an advantage of this invention is that the methodeliminates the need to breakup concrete foundations surrounding thebroken conduit end, which greatly reduces the time and expense of therepair.

Another advantage of this invention is that the repair method provides amore structurally secure repair because the concrete foundation remainsundisturbed.

Another advantage of this invention is that the repair method requiresonly two specialized repair components: a reaming bit and a repaircoupling.

Another advantage of this invention is that the reaming bit is designedto be used in any conventional handheld power drill, which is common andreadily available at any construction site.

Another advantage of this invention is that a single user in only a fewminutes can prepare a large number of broken conduit ends for repair,turning down the inside walls of the conduit with the drill mountedreaming bit.

Other advantages will become apparent upon a reading of the followingdescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been depicted forillustrative purposes only wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the reaming bit used in the repairmethod of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevated side view of the reaming bit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the reaming tool bit of FIG. I;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the reaming tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the reaming tool bit mounted to the chuck of aconventional hand drill being inserted into a broken conduit endembedded in a concrete foundation (shown as a partial side sectionalview);

FIG. 6 is a side view of the reaming tool bit mounted to the chuck of aconventional hand drill being withdrawn from the broken conduit endembedded in a concrete foundation showing the bored out inner wall ofthe broken conduit end (shown as a partial side sectional view);

FIG. 7. is a side sectional view of one embodiment of the repaircoupling of this invention being inserted into the bored out brokenconduit end;

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of the repair coupling of FIG. 7connecting the repaired conduit end and a new section of conduit;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of therepair coupling of this invention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of therepair coupling of this invention;

FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of the repair coupling of FIG. 10connecting the repaired conduit end and a new section of conduit; and

FIG. 12 is a side sectional view of the repair coupling of FIG. 9connecting the repaired conduit end and a new section of conduit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Itis chosen and described to best explain the invention so that othersskilled in the art might utilize its teachings. This invention entails amethod of repairing broken electrical conduit embedded in a concretefoundation without breaking up the foundation and the specializedcomponents used in the repair, namely, a reaming bit and variousembodiments of a repair coupling.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the specialized reaming bit of this invention,designated generally as reference numeral 10, which is used to bore outthe inner wall of the broken conduit end. Reaming bit 10 has aconventional design and construction common for drill and milling toolsand is intended for use with hand held power drills identified byreference numeral 8 in FIGS. 5 and 6. As shown, reaming bit 10 includesan interchangeable cutting head 20 and pilot head 28 mounted on amandrel 30. It should be noted that the reaming bit could also bemachined from a solid piece of metal stock within the teaching of thisinvention. The multiple piece design allows interchangeable cuttingheads of various sizes to be used with a standard mandrel assembly.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, cutting head 20 has a cylindrical body 22 and sixhelical cutting blades 24. Cutting head 20 also has an axial throughbore 21, through which the mandrel extends. Each cutting blade has acutting edge and a cutting face that allows the material shaved from theconduit wall to be expelled upward. The outer diameter of cutting head20 is sized to mill out and remove material from the inner wall of thebroken conduit end to reduce the wall thickness to accommodate therepair coupling. Generally, cutting head 20 is sized to removeapproximately one half the thickness of the conduit wall. Pilot head 28has an axial through bore 29, through which mandrel 30 extends. Mandrel30 has an integral cylindrical shoulder stop 32 and axial shank 34 thatextends axially from opposite ends of the shoulder stop. As shown,cutting head 20 and pilot head 28 are mounted to the proximal end ofshank 34 by a bolt 36 that is turned into a threaded axial bore 35 inshank 34. The distal end of shank 34 is used to secure the reaming bitto the chuck of a power drill. A pin 38 extends through lateral bores incutting head 20 and shank 34 to secure and prevent the cutting head fromturning on the mandrel. The outer diameter of the pilot head 28 andshoulder stop 32 are sized to accommodate the inner and outer diametersof the broken conduit end, such that the pilot head is insertable intothe broken conduit end and the oversized shoulder stop will abut againstthe conduit end.

FIGS. 7-14 illustrate different embodiments of the repair couplings ofthis invention, which are used to join the broken conduit end to a newsection of conduit. The repair couplings join the broken conduit ends tonew sections of conduit. Because electrical conduit is available invarious standardized diameter sizes and wall thicknesses, the repaircouplings of this invention are intended to be dimensioned intostandardized sizes that accommodate the various diameter sizes andconventions of both plastic and metal electrical conduit. For example,different sizes of repair couplings will be used with each standardizeddiameter of the electrical conduit, i.e. 1 inch, ¾ inch, etc. Inaddition, the teachings of this invention encompass variations in therepair coupling such as straight couplings that will connect conduit ofidentical diameter size and reducer couplings for differing conduitdiameter sizes.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the repair coupling of this inventiondesignated a reference numeral 40. Repair coupling 40 has a single piececonstruction and is ideally formed from a plastic material, such asacrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene known as ABS or polyvinylchloride knownas PVC, but can also be cast from a metal such as brass, aluminum orsteel. Repair coupling 40 has a tubular body with a larger diameterfemale end 42 and a smaller diameter male end 44. Repair coupling 40 isdimensioned so that male end 44 can be inserted directly into the reamedconduit end with a snug fit and a new section of conduit can be insertedinto the female end. As shown, the thickness of the sidewall of male end44 are significantly thinner than the sidewall of female end 42, and isapproximately one half the thickness of the sidewall of the reamedconduit end in which it is inserted. For a ¾ inch sized repair coupling,the sidewall thickness at male end 44 is approximately 0.0640 inches,but generally ranging between 0.0600-0.0700 inches, and the sidewallthickness at the female end is approximately 0.1260 inches, butgenerally ranging between 0.1200-0.1300 inches. For a one inch sizedrepair coupling, the sidewall thickness at male end 44 is approximately0.0675 inches, but generally ranging from 0.0670-0.0680 inches, and thesidewall thickness at the female end is approximately 0.1425, butgenerally ranging from 0.1400-0.1500 inches. The tubular sidewalls ofrepair coupling 40 form a cylindrical passage therethrough. As shown inFIG. 8, the inner diameter of female end 42 is slightly greater than theinner diameter of male end 44, which forms a shoulder 46. Shoulder 46acts as a stop of the new conduit section.

FIGS. 9-12 illustrate another embodiment of the repair coupling of thisinvention designated as reference numeral 50. Repair coupling 50 has atwo piece component design that includes an inner sleeve 52 and an outercollar designated as 60 in FIGS. 9 and 11 and as 70 in FIGS. 10 and 12.Both the inner sleeve 52 and outer collar 60 and 70 may be formed from aplastic material, such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene known as ABSor polyvinylchloride known as PVC, or cast from a metal such as brass,aluminum or steel. Again, repair coupling 50 is intended to be sized anddimensioned into standard sizes that accommodate the various diametersizes and conventions of both plastic and metal electrical conduit.Generally, inner sleeve 52 is constructed of plastic and outer collars60 and 70 are constructed of metal and are conventional conduitconnectors of standard size. Inner sleeve 52 has a generally tubularbody with smooth axial bore 53. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, one end 54of sleeve 52 is dimensioned for insertion into the reamed conduit endwhile the other end 56 is dimensioned for insertion into one end ofouter collar 60 or 70. As shown, outer collars 60 and 70 differ only inthat collar 70 has a threaded mouth for receiving threaded electricalconduit, while collar 60 has a smooth mouth for receiving non-threadedconduit, such as electrical metallic tubing that commonly is referred toby the acronym EMT. A small screw 62 is turned into a threaded side bore63 in collar 60 to secure the new section of conduit into the collar.

FIGS. 5-12 illustrate the various steps in the method of this inventionfor repairing the broken conduit end designated generally as referencenumeral 2 embedded in a concrete foundation 3. Often the broken conduitend extending from the concrete foundation is jagged and uneven and mayextend some distance above the foundation. Initially, broken conduit end3 is often cut at the surface of foundation 3 to provide a clean andstraight end for repair, as shown in FIG. 5. As illustrated in FIGS. 5and 6, reaming bit 10 is used to mill out the inside of the brokenconduit end 2. Pilot head 28 guides and centers cutting head 20 as auser inserts reaming bit 10 into broken conduit end 2. The user insertsreaming bit 10 into the broken conduit end until shoulder stop 32 abutsthe end of the conduit, whereby the rotating cutting head 20 reams outthe inside of sidewall 4 to reduce the thickness of the conduit sidewallto a set depth substantially equal to the length of the cutting head.When reaming bit 10 is withdrawn from broken conduit end 2, the insideof conduit sidewall 4 has been reamed out or turned down to receive therepair coupling. Next, the repair coupling is fitted to the reamedconduit end 2 in FIGS. 6 and 7. Typically, the male end of the repaircoupling is hand pressed into the reamed conduit end and a jointcompound is used to permanently join the repair coupling to the conduit.The last step, illustrated in FIGS. 8, 11 and 12 is to connect a newsection of conduit designated as reference numeral 6 in FIGS. 8 and 11,and as 6 a in FIG. 12 to the repair coupling. Again a joint compound istypically used to join the new conduit section 6 while conduit section 6a is joined by way of cooperating threads. Once the new conduit sectionis joined, wiring can be run within the repaired conduit system.

Advantages

One skilled in the art will note several advantages of this repairmethod and specialized repair components of this invention. The methodeliminates the need to breakup concrete foundations surrounding thebroken conduit end, which greatly reduces the time and expense of therepair. The repair method requires only the specialized reaming bit anda repair coupling. The reaming bit is deigned to be used in anyconventional handheld power drill, which is common and readily availableat any construction site. In a matter of minutes, a single user canprepare a large number of broken conduit ends for repair, turning downthe inside walls of the conduit with the drill mounted reaming bit. Thereaming bit is a relatively small component that can be carried byworkers with little inconvenience. The repair method also does notrequire the repairer to carry any other additional tools.

The repair couplings are small, inexpensive piece parts, whose cost issignificantly less than the cost of repairing a concrete foundation. Therepair couplings are generally constructed from plastics and can beproduced in various sizes in large quantities with great costeffectiveness. The single piece design of the first embodiment of therepair coupling is well suited for low cost plastic construction. Thetwo piece design of the repair coupling of the second embodiment allowsthe combination of both plastic and metal conduit. Building codes oftenrequire metal conduit be run from the foundation up. Consequently,plastic conduit must often be mated with metal conduit at thefoundation. he two piece design of the second embodiment allows plasticinner sleeves to be mated with plastic or metal collars. The repaircoupling provides a convenient interconnection between the plasticconduit inside the foundation and metal conduit run above the foundationif required. In addition, the inner sleeves are designed to fit intoconventional collars that are common and readily available in theindustry further reducing costs.

It should be noted that the repair method of this invention alsoprovides a more structurally secure repair. Patched concrete foundationnever has the integrity of the original foundation and is subject tocracks, as well as an unsightly appearance. Consequently, eliminatingthe need to break up and patch the concrete foundations is a significantadvantage of this repair method. While the inside of the sidewalls ofthe conduit are turned down, the concrete foundation, which is leftundisturbed around the conduit end, provides sufficient structuralsupport to the repair coupling and new conduit sections. Because theconcrete foundation surrounds the broken conduit end, the turned downsidewall of the conduit is reinforced from outside forces that mayfracture or crack the conduit.

It is understood that the above description does not limit the inventionto the details given, but may be modified within the scope of thefollowing claims.

1. Apparatus for repairing a broken end portion of a cylindrical conduit having a conduit peripheral wall with inner and outer surfaces comprising: a one-piece tubular coupling member having an annular male end portion that includes an annular peripheral wall with annular inner and outer surfaces; said coupling member having an opposite annular end portion that includes an annular peripheral wall with annular inner and outer surfaces; said male end portion and said opposite end portion intersecting at an outwardly extending external shoulder; said male end portion peripheral wall having a radial thickness that is less than the radial thickness of the opposite end portion peripheral wall; said male end portion peripheral wall having a radial thickness that is less than the radial thickness of said conduit peripheral wall; and, said male end portion annular inner surface having generally the same annular size and configuration as said conduit inner surface; whereby an annular socket is formable in the broken end portion of the conduit intermediate the inner and outer conduit surfaces with a socket annular configuration and size for closely receiving the male end portion of the coupling therein.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said opposite end portion of said coupling member has a socket therein configured for closely receiving therein an end portion of another cylindrical conduit that has generally the same external size and configuration as the outer surface of the cylindrical conduit that has the broken end portion, the inner surface of the other conduit having generally the same annular size and configuration as said male end portion inner surface; the socket in the opposite end portion of the coupling having a socket peripheral wall and the socket being sized and configured to accommodate the other conduit end portion that has a peripheral wall with a radial thickness that is generally the same as the combined radial thicknesses of the male end portion peripheral wall and the socket peripheral wall.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the socket has a socket peripheral wall and the opposite end portion of the coupling has an annular inner peripheral surface with an annular size and configuration that is generally the same as the annular size and configuration of the male end portion annular inner surface, the other end portion having a peripheral wall with a radial thickness that is generally the same as the combined radial thicknesses of the male end portion peripheral wall and the socket peripheral wall.
 4. Apparatus for repairing a broken end portion of a tubular conduit having an annular peripheral wall with annular inner and outer surfaces comprising: a one-piece tubular coupling member having an annular male end portion that includes an annular peripheral wall with annular inner and outer surfaces; said coupling member having an opposite annular end portion that includes an annular peripheral wall with annular inner and outer surfaces; said annular outer surface of said opposite end portion having a larger annular size than the annular size of said annular outer surface of said male end portion to provide an outwardly extending external shoulder at the intersection between said male end portion and said opposite end portion; the annular inner surface of said male end portion having generally the same annular size and configuration as the inner surface of the tubular conduit to be repaired; the male end portion peripheral wall having a radial thickness that is less than the radial thickness of the peripheral wall of a tubular conduit to be repaired; and the annular outer surface of the male end portion having an annular size that is smaller than the annular size of the annular outer surface of the tubular conduit to be repaired; whereby an annular socket having an annular socket size intermediate the annular sizes of the inner and outer surfaces of the tubular conduit to be repaired may be reamed in an end portion of the tubular conduit to be repaired for closely receiving the male end portion of the coupling with the annular inner surface of the male end portion peripheral wall and the annular inner surface of the conduit to be repaired being generally aligned to provide a continuous annular passage therethrough while the coupling opposite end portion is connectable with another tubular conduit of generally the same size and shape as the conduit to be repaired except that the other tubular conduit is not provided with a socket like the conduit to be repaired.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the inner surfaces of the male and opposite end portions have the same annular size and configuration.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the outer surface of the opposite end portion has an annular size and configuration that is generally the same as the annular size and configuration of the tubular conduit to be repaired, and the opposite end portion is connectable with another conduit of generally the same size and shape as the conduit to be repaired by way of a socket fitting that has a fitting socket in which the opposite end portion of the repair coupling is closely receivable.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the radial thickness of the opposite end portion peripheral wall is at least two times the thickness of the male end portion peripheral wall.
 8. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said opposite end portion has an annular socket therein with a socket annular size and configuration for closely receiving an end portion of a tubular conduit having generally the same size and shape as the tubular conduit to be repaired.
 9. A joint comprising: a pair of first and second tubular conduits having generally the same size and shape except for a socket in an end portion of a first one of the conduits that is not present in the second conduit each conduit having an annular peripheral wall with annular inner and outer surfaces; the annular sizes and configurations of the annular inner surfaces of the first and second conduits being generally the same, and the annular sizes and configurations of the annular outer surfaces of the first and second conduits being generally the same except for a socket in an end portion of the first conduit that is not present in the second conduit; said first conduit having an end portion with an annular socket formed therein, the socket having a socket annular size that is intermediate the diameter of the inner and outer surfaces of the conduit peripheral wall; a one-piece coupling member having a male end portion closely received in the socket; the coupling male end portion having an annular peripheral wall with annular inner and outer surfaces; the inner surface of the male end portion peripheral wall having generally the same annular size and configuration as the inner surface of the conduit; the outer surface of the male end portion peripheral wall having generally the same annular size and configuration as the socket; the coupling including an opposite end portion having an annular peripheral wall with annular inner and outer surfaces; the outer surface of the opposite end portion having an annular size greater than the annular size of the male end portion so that the male and opposite end portions intersect at an outwardly extending external shoulder; and the second tubular conduit having an end portion connected with the opposite end portion of the coupling.
 10. The joint of claim 9 wherein the opposite end portion of the coupling is connected with the second tubular conduit by way of a socket fitting having opposite sockets of generally the same size and shape in which the coupling opposite end portion and the end portion of the second tubular conduit are closely received.
 11. The joint of claim 9 wherein the coupling opposite end portion has a coupling socket in which the end portion of the second tubular conduit is closely received, the coupling socket having an annular size greater than the annular size of the outer surface of the male end portion.
 12. Apparatus for repairing a broken stub of a first annular conduit by enlarging the inner annular size of the stub to provide a socket comprising: an annular sleeve having a first end portion that is configured and sized for close reception in the stub socket and has an inner size and configuration that corresponds to the original inner annular size and configuration of the stub prior to enlargement thereof; and, the sleeve having an opposite end portion configured for connection with a second annular conduit of generally the same size as the first annular conduit prior to formation of the socket in the first conduit.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the opposite end portion of the sleeve has a sleeve socket for closely receiving an end portion of the second annular conduit.
 14. The sleeve of claim 12 wherein the sleeve opposite end portion is configured for attachment to a collar that has a collar socket for closely receiving an end portion of the second annular conduit.
 15. Apparatus comprising, a one-piece tubular coupling member have a male end portion with an annular peripheral wall and annular inner and outer surfaces; said coupling member having an opposite end portion with an annular peripheral wall and annular inner and outer surfaces; said outer surface of said opposite end portion having an annular size that is greater than the annular size of said annular outer surface of said male end portion to provide an outwardly extending external shoulder at the intersection between said male end portion and said opposite end portion; the male end portion peripheral wall having a radial thickness that is less than the radial thickness of the opposite end portion peripheral wall; said opposite end portion having a coupling socket therein with a coupling socket annular size that is greater than the annular size of the outer surface of the male end portion; a cylindrical conduit having a cylindrical conduit peripheral wall with cylindrical inner and outer surfaces that have inner and outer surface diameters; a conduit socket in one end portion of the conduit, the socket having a socket peripheral wall and an annular size that is intermediate the conduit inner and outer surface diameters; the male end portion of the coupling being closely received in the socket; and, the combined radial thickness of the male end portion peripheral wall and the conduit socket peripheral wall being generally the same as the radial thickness of the conduit peripheral wall along the entire remaining length of the conduit beyond the conduit socket.
 16. A joint between a pair of first and second tubular conduits, each conduit having an annular peripheral wall with annular inner and outer surfaces; said first conduit having an end portion with an annular socket formed therein, the socket having a socket peripheral wall and a socket annular size that is intermediate the annular sizes of the annular inner and outer surfaces of the conduit peripheral wall; a one-piece coupling member having a male end portion closely received in the socket; the coupling male end portion having an annular peripheral wall with annular inner and outer surfaces; the annular inner surface of the male end portion peripheral wall having generally the same annular size and configuration as the annular inner surface of the first conduit; the outer surface of the male end portion peripheral wall having generally the same annular size and configuration as the socket; the coupling member including an opposite end portion having an annular peripheral wall with annular inner and outer surfaces; the outer surface of the opposite end portion having an annular size greater than the annular size of the outer surface of the male end portion so that the male and opposite end portions intersect at an outwardly extending external shoulder; the combined radial thickness of the male end portion peripheral wall and the peripheral wall of the first conduit being generally the same as the radial thickness of the peripheral wall of the first conduit along the entire remaining length of the first conduit beyond the socket therein; and the second tubular conduit having an end portion connected with the opposite end portion of the coupling by way of a connection in which the inner annular surfaces of the coupling male end portion and the end portion of the second tubular conduit provide a continuous freely open and unoccupied passage through the joint.
 17. The joint of claim 16 wherein the opposite end portion of the coupling member is connected with the second tubular conduit by way of a socket fitting having opposite sockets in which the coupling opposite end portion and the end portion of the second tubular conduit are closely received.
 18. The joint of claim 16 wherein the coupling opposite end portion has a socket in which the end portion of the second tubular conduit is closely received.
 19. A joint comprising: a pair of first and second tubular conduits, each conduit having an annular peripheral wall with annular cylindrical inner and outer surfaces; said first conduit having an end portion with an annular socket formed therein, the socket having a socket annular size that is intermediate the annular sizes of the inner and outer surfaces of the conduit peripheral wall; a one-piece coupling having a male end portion closely received in the socket; the coupling male end portion having an annular peripheral wall with annular inner and outer surfaces; the annular inner surface of the male end portion peripheral wall having generally the same annular size and configuration as the inner surface of the first conduit and forming an annular passage through the male end portion; the outer surface of the male end portion peripheral wall having generally the same annular size and configuration as the socket; the coupling including an opposite end portion having an annular peripheral wall with annular inner and outer surfaces; the annular outer surface of the opposite end portion having an annular size greater than the annular size of the male end portion so that the male and opposite end portions intersect at an outwardly extending external shoulder; and the second tubular conduit having an end portion connected with the opposite end portion of the coupling member by way of a connection that leaves the annular passage through the male end portion of the coupling freely open and unoccupied.
 20. The joint of claim 19 wherein the opposite end portion of the coupling member is connected with the second tubular conduit by way of a socket fitting having opposite sockets in which the coupling opposite end portion and the end portion of the second tubular conduit are closely received.
 21. The joint of claim 19 wherein the coupling member opposite end portion has a socket in which the end portion of the second tubular conduit is closely received.
 22. A joint comprising: a pair of tubular conduits having annular peripheral walls with annular inner and outer surfaces, the joint being formed of three individual parts that include the pair of conduits and a single one-piece coupling; a first of the conduits having an end portion with an annular socket formed therein, the socket having a socket annular size that is intermediate the annular sizes of the inner and outer surfaces of the first conduit peripheral wall; a one-piece coupling member having a male end portion closely received in the socket; the coupling male end portion having an annular peripheral wall with annular inner and outer surfaces; the annular inner surface of the male end portion peripheral wall having generally the same size and configuration as the inner surface of the first conduit; the annular outer surface of the male end portion peripheral wall having generally the same size and configuration as the socket; the coupling member including an opposite end portion having an annular coupling socket therein; said opposite end portion having an outer surface with an annular size greater than the annular size of the outer surface of the male end portion so that the male and opposite end portions intersect at an outwardly extending external shoulder; the coupling socket having an annular size that is different from the annular size of the inner surface of the male end portion; and the second tubular conduit having an end portion closely received in the coupling socket.
 23. Apparatus for repairing a broken end portion of a tubular conduit having an annular peripheral wall with annular inner and outer surfaces comprising: a one-piece tubular coupling member having a male end portion with an annular peripheral wall and annular inner and outer surfaces; said coupling member having an opposite end portion with an annular peripheral wall and annular inner and outer surfaces; said outer surface of said opposite end portion having an annular size that is greater than the annular size of said outer surface of said male end portion to provide an outwardly extending external shoulder at the intersection between said male end portion and said opposite end portion; the male end portion peripheral wall having a radial thickness that is less than the radial thickness of the opposite end portion peripheral wall; the annular inner surface of the male end portion having an annular size and configuration that is generally the same as the annular size and configuration of the inner surface of the tubular conduit; and the annular outer surface of the male end portion having an annular size that is intermediate the annular sizes of the inner and outer surfaces of the tubular conduit.
 24. Apparatus comprising: a one-piece tubular coupling member for connecting a pair of tubular conduits having annular conduit passages therethrough with a predetermined conduit passage annular sizes and configurations, the conduits having peripheral walls with a predetermined conduit outer annular sizes and configurations; the coupling member including a male end portion having an annular passage therethrough with a predetermined coupling passage annular size and configuration that is generally the same as the predetermined annular size and configuration of the conduit passage; said male end portion having a peripheral wall with a male end portion predetermined outer annular size and configuration, the annular size of the conduit passage and the conduit outer size; the coupling member male end portion being receivable in a socket provided in an end portion of one of the conduits with a socket size and configuration for closely receiving the coupling male end portion; the coupling having an opposite end portion configured for connection with an end portion of the other of the conduits by way of a connection that generally aligns the conduit passages with the passage in the coupling male end portion so that the aligned passages form a continuous passage through the joint.
 25. The coupling member of claim 24 wherein said opposite end portion of said coupling has a socket therein with a socket size and configuration that generally corresponds to the predetermined conduit outer size and configuration for closely receiving the end portion of the other conduit therein.
 26. The coupling member of claim 24 wherein said annular passage in said male end portion of said coupling is part of a continuous passage that extends completely through said coupling and has generally the same size and configuration throughout its length.
 27. The coupling member of claim 24 wherein the opposite end portion of the coupling has a peripheral wall with a radial thickness greater than the radial thickness of the male end portion peripheral wall.
 28. A joint comprising: a pair of cylindrical tubular conduits having cylindrical conduit passages therethrough with a predetermined conduit passage diameter, the conduits having peripheral walls with a predetermined conduit outer diameter; a one-piece coupling including a male end portion having an annular passage therethrough with a predetermined coupling passage size and configuration that generally corresponds to the predetermined conduit passage diameter; the male end portion having a peripheral wall with a male end portion predetermined annular outer size and configuration that is intermediate the conduit passage diameter and the conduit outer diameter; an end portion of one of the conduits having an annular socket therein sized and configured for closely receiving the coupling male end portion therein; the coupling male end portion being closely received in the socket with the inner surface of the coupling male end portion passage generally aligned with the inner surface of the conduit passage in the one conduit; the coupling member having an opposite end portion connected with an end portion of the other conduit by way of a connection that generally aligns the cylindrical conduit passages with the annular passage in the coupling male end portion so that the aligned passages form at least part of a common generally continuous passage having a generally uniform size through the joint.
 29. The coupling member of claim 28 wherein the opposite end portion of the coupling member has a socket therein with a socket size and configuration that generally corresponds to the conduit outer diameter, and the end portion of the other conduit being closely received in the socket.
 30. The coupling member of claim 28 wherein said annular passage in said male end portion of said coupling member is part of a continuous passage of generally uniform size and configuration that extends completely through said coupling.
 31. The coupling member of claim 28 wherein the opposite end portion of the coupling member has a peripheral wall with a radial thickness greater than the radial thickness of the male end portion peripheral wall.
 32. A repair joint comprising: a tubular conduit having cylindrical inner and outer conduit surfaces and a conduit peripheral wall between said surfaces; an end portion of the conduit having its cylindrical inner surface enlarged into a socket having a socket annular peripheral surface located intermediate the diameters of the cylindrical inner and outer conduit surfaces; the socket having a socket peripheral wall with a radial thickness less than the radial thickness of the conduit peripheral wall and a socket peripheral wall outer diameter that is the same as the diameter of the cylindrical outer conduit surface; the socket having a socket bottom that is intersected by the cylindrical conduit inner surface at an intersection so that the radial thickness of the conduit peripheral wall at and adjacent to the intersection is not greater than the radial thickness of the conduit peripheral wall along the remainder of the conduit, the intersection being characterized by the absence of any inwardly extending flange or projection so that the cylindrical inner conduit surface extends fully to intersection with the socket bottom and is not reduced in size at or adjacent to the intersection; a one-piece tubular coupling member having a male end portion closely received in the socket, the male end portion having an outer peripheral surface, the socket peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the male end portion being cooperatively configured and dimensioned for close fitting reception of the male end portion within the socket; the male end portion having an annular inner surface with a size and configuration that generally corresponds with the diameter of the cylindrical inner conduit surface so that the inner surfaces of the male end portion and the conduit form a continuous passage having generally the same size and configuration throughout its length; and the opposite end portion of the coupling member being configured for connection with another tubular conduit.
 33. The joint of claim 32 wherein the opposite end portion of the coupling has a coupling socket therein for receiving an end portion of another tubular conduit.
 34. The joint of claim 33 wherein the coupling socket has an annular size that is greater than the annular size of the outer peripheral surface of the male end portion of the coupling member.
 35. The joint of claim 34 wherein the opposite end portion of the coupling has an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the cylindrical outer conduit surface.
 36. The joint of claim 32 wherein the opposite end portion of the coupling member has a peripheral wall with a radial thickness greater than the radial thickness of the male end portion peripheral wall.
 37. The joint of claim 32 wherein the outer annular size of the male end portion is smaller than the outer diameter of the opposite end portion and the outer surface of the male end portion intersects the opposite end portion at an outwardly extending shoulder.
 38. The joint of claim 32 wherein the opposite end portion of the coupling member is connected with another conduit by way of a socket fitting having opposite sockets in which the coupling opposite end portion and an end portion of the other conduit are closely received.
 39. The joint of claim 32 wherein the peripheral surface of the socket and the outer peripheral surface of the male end portion are generally cylindrical. 